US20010055475A1 - Audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus includes an audio signal switch section for outputting one of a first audio signal having a first volume level and a second audio signal having a second volume level by a switching operation; and a mute section for muting the first audio signal which is output from the audio signal switch section when the audio signal switch section switches the second audio signal to the first audio signal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• The present invention relates to an audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus, and in particular to an audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus for reproducing a plurality of information recording media having audio signals having different volume levels stored thereon.[0002]
• 2. Description of the Related Art[0003]
• Recently, audio and video recording and reproduction apparatuses for reproducing a plurality of types of information recording media, for example, DVD-Recording, DVD-Video disks, Video-CDs (hereinafter, referred to as “V-CDs”) and CD-Audio (hereinafter, referred to as a “CD-A”), have been used.[0004]
• These plurality of types of information recording media respectively have audio signals having different volume levels stored thereon.[0005]
• When an operation mode of such an audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus is switched in order to reproduce a different type of information recording medium, an audio signal having a different volume level from the audio signal which was output before the switching can be suddenly output. This causes a user to feel uncomfortable.[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to the present invention includes an audio signal switch section for outputting one of a first audio signal having a first volume level and a second audio signal having a second volume level by a switching operation; and a mute section for muting the first audio signal which is output from the audio signal switch section when the audio signal switch section switches the second audio signal to the first audio signal.[0007]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the mute section mutes the second audio signal which is output from the audio signal switch section when the audio signal switch section switches the first audio signal to the second audio signal.[0008]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the first audio signal includes an external audio signal.[0009]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the first audio signal includes an audio signal reproduced from an audio and video recording and reproduction medium.[0010]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the second audio signal includes an audio signal reproduced from an audio and video reproduction-only medium.[0011]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the second audio signal includes an audio signal reproduced from an audio reproduction-only medium.[0012]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the first audio signal includes an external audio signal. The second audio signal is reproduced from a reproduction-only medium. The first volume level of the first audio signal and the second volume level of the second audio signal are different from each other. The audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus has a reproduction mode for reproducing the second audio signal from the reproduction-only medium and a stop mode for stopping the reproduction of the second audio signal from the reproduction-only medium. The audio signal switch section switches the second audio signal to the first audio signal when the reproduction mode is switched to the stop mode.[0013]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus further includes a video switch section for outputting a first video signal corresponding to the first audio signal or a second video signal corresponding to the second audio signal by a switching operation.[0014]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the first video signal includes an external video signal.[0015]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the first video signal includes a video signal reproduced from an audio and video recording and reproduction medium.[0016]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the second video signal includes a video signal reproduced from an audio and video reproduction-only medium.[0017]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the second video signal includes a still picture signal reproduced from a still picture signal medium.[0018]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the second video signal includes a third video signal reproduced from the audio and video reproduction-only medium and a still picture signal reproduced from a still picture signal medium. The audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus has a reproduction mode for reproducing the third video signal from the audio and video reproduction-only medium and a stop mode for stopping the reproduction of the third video signal from the audio and video reproduction-only medium. The video signal switch section switches the third video signal to the still picture signal when the reproduction mode is switched to the stop mode.[0019]
• In one embodiment of the invention, the second video signal includes a still picture signal reproduced from a still picture medium. The video switch section outputs the still picture signal when the mute section mutes the first audio signal.[0020]
• Thus, the invention described herein makes possible the advantages of providing an audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus usable to reproduce audio signals having different volume levels, which prevents an audio signal having a different volume level from the previously reproduced audio signal from being output, and thus prevents the user from feeling uncomfortable.[0021]
• These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures.[0022]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to one example of the present invention;[0023]
• FIG. 2 shows the relationship between an average volume level output from the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1, an input medium and an operation mode thereof;[0024]
• FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation performed by the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a reproduction mode is switched to a stop mode while a CD-A medium is mounted on the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus;[0025]
• FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation performed by the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a reproduction mode is switched to a stop mode while a DVD-Video medium or a V-CD medium is mounted on the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus; and[0026]
• FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation performed by the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a switching operation between a recording mode, a stop mode and a reproduction mode is performed while DVD-Recording medium is mounted on the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus.[0027]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way of illustrative examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.[0028]
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audio and video recording and[0029]reproduction apparatus100 according to one example of the present invention.
• Referring to FIG. 1, the audio and video recording and[0030]reproduction apparatus100 includes an audio andvideo recording circuit101, audio andvideo reproduction circuits102 and103, anaudio reproduction circuit104, a stillpicture reproduction circuit105, anaudio mute circuit106, a medium recording andreproduction circuit107, an outputsignal switch circuit108, asystem control section109, anaudio input terminal110, avideo input terminal111, anaudio output terminal112 and avideo output terminal113.
• The audio and video recording and[0031]reproduction apparatus100 performs recording or reproduction of a video signal and/or an audio signal to and from theinformation medium120. Theinformation medium120 can be one of an audio and video recording andreproduction medium121, a first audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122A, a second audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122B, and an audio reproduction-onlymedium123. The audio and video recording andreproduction medium121 can be a DVD-Recording medium. The first audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122A can be a DVD-Video medium. The second audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122B can be a V-CD medium. The audio reproduction-onlymedium123 can be a CD-A medium.
• The audio and video recording and[0032]reproduction apparatus100 records a video signal and an audio signal to the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121, and reproduces a video signal and an audio signal from the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. The audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 reproduces a video signal and an audio signal from the first audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122A and the second audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122B. The audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 reproduces an audio signal from the audio reproduction-only medium123.
• The audio and[0033]video recording circuit101 receives anexternal audio signal124 which is input to theaudio input terminal110 and performs processing of theexternal audio signal124 necessary to record theexternal audio signal124 to the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. The medium recording andreproduction circuit107 records theexternal audio signal124 processed by the audio andvideo recording circuit101 to the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. The audio andvideo recording circuit101 also receives anexternal video signal125 which is input to thevideo input terminal111 and performs processing of theexternal video signal125 necessary to record theexternal video signal125 to the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. The medium recording andreproduction circuit107 records theexternal video signal125 processed by the audio andvideo recording circuit101 to the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121.
• The medium recording and[0034]reproduction circuit107 reproduces anaudio signal126 and avideo signal127 recorded on the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. The audio andvideo reproduction circuit102 performs processing of theaudio signal126 and thevideo signal127 necessary to output theaudio signal126 and thevideo signal127 respectively from theaudio output terminal112 and thevideo output terminal113.
• The medium recording and[0035]reproduction circuit107 reproduces anaudio signal128A and avideo signal129A recorded on the first audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122A. The audio andvideo reproduction circuit103 performs processing of theaudio signal128A and thevideo signal129A necessary to output theaudio signal128A and thevideo signal129A respectively from theaudio output terminal112 and thevideo output terminal113.
• The medium recording and[0036]reproduction circuit107 reproduces anaudio signal128B and avideo signal129B recorded on the second audio and video reproduction-onlymedium122B. The audio andvideo reproduction circuit103 performs processing of theaudio signal128B and thevideo signal129B necessary to output theaudio signal128B and thevideo signal129B respectively from theaudio output terminal112 and thevideo output terminal113.
• The medium recording and[0037]reproduction circuit107 reproduces anaudio signal130 recorded on the audio reproduction-onlymedium123. Theaudio reproduction circuit104 performs processing of theaudio signal130 necessary to output theaudio signal130 from theaudio output terminal112. The still picturereproduction circuit105 outputs a still picture signal131 reproduced from a still picture medium105A.
• The[0038]audio signal126 reproduced by the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121 and theexternal audio signal124 input to theaudio input terminal110 have an average volume level A1 (first volume level). Theaudio signal128A reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A has an average volume level B1 (second volume level). Theaudio signal128B reproduced from the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B has an average volume level C1 (second volume level). Theaudio signal130 reproduced from the audio reproduction-only medium123 has an average volume level D1 (second volume level). In the following description, the average volume level will also be referred to as a “volume level” for the sake of simplicity.
• The output[0039]signal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signals126,124,128A,128B and130 to output one of these signal from theaudio output terminal112.
• When the output[0040]signal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signal128A having the volume level B1 to theaudio signal126 having the volume level A1, the audiomute circuit106 mutes theaudio signal126 output from theaudio output terminal112. When the outputsignal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signal128A having the volume level B1 to theexternal audio signal124 having the volume level A1, the audiomute circuit106 mutes theexternal audio signal124 output from theaudio output terminal112.
• When the output[0041]signal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signal128B having the volume level C1 to theaudio signal126 having the volume level A1, the audiomute circuit106 mutes theaudio signal126 output from theaudio output terminal112. When the outputsignal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signal128B having the volume level C1 to theexternal audio signal124 having the volume level A1, the audiomute circuit106 mutes theexternal audio signal124 output from theaudio output terminal112.
• When the output[0042]signal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signal130 having the volume level D1 to theaudio signal126 having the volume level A1, the audiomute circuit106 mutes theaudio signal126 output from theaudio output terminal112. When the outputsignal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signal130 having the volume level D1 to theexternal audio signal124 having the volume level A1, the audiomute circuit106 mutes theexternal audio signal124 output from theaudio output terminal112. Thesystem control section109 controls operations of the entire audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 including the outputsignal switch circuit108 and the mediumrecording reproduction circuit107.
• As described above, when the output[0043]signal switch circuit108 switches theaudio signal128A (B1), theaudio signal128B (C1) or the audio signal130 (D1) to the audio signal126 (A1) or the external audio signal124 (A1), the audiomute circuit106 mutes theaudio signal126 or theexternal audio signal124 output from theaudio output terminal112.
• Conversely, when the output[0044]signal switch circuit108 switches the audio signal126 (A1) or the external audio signal124 (A1) to theaudio signal128A (B1), theaudio signal128B (C1) or the audio signal130 (D1), the audiomute circuit106 mutes theaudio signal128A (B1),128B (C1) or130 (D1) output from theaudio output terminal112.
• FIG. 2 shows the relationship between an average volume level output from the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus[0045]100 (FIG. 1), an input medium and an operation mode thereof.
• As shown in FIG. 2 and also described above, the input media used for the audio and video recording and[0046]reproduction apparatus100 include the audio and video recording and reproduction medium121 (e.g., DVD-Recording medium), the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A (e.g., DVD-Video medium), the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B (e.g., V-CD medium), and the audio reproduction-only medium123 (e.g., CD-A medium). Operation modes of the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 include astop mode141, areproduction mode142 and arecording mode143. Thestop mode141 includes afirst stop mode145 and asecond stop mode144.
• As shown in FIG. 2, when the input medium is the audio and video recording and[0047]reproduction medium121, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 outputs an audio signal having a volume level A1 in any of thestop mode141, thereproduction mode142 and therecording mode143 as described below. In thestop mode141 and therecording mode143, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 outputs the external video signal124 (A1) which is input to theaudio input terminal110. Theexternal video signal124 can be, for example, an audio signal from a TV. In thereproduction mode142, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 outputs the audio signal126 (A1) reproduced from the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121.
• When the input medium is the first audio and video reproduction-only medium[0048]122A and the operation mode is thereproduction mode142, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 outputs theaudio signal128A (B1) reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A. When the input medium is the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B and the operation mode is thereproduction mode142, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 outputs theaudio signal128B (C1) reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122B. When the input medium is the audio reproduction-only medium123 and the operation mode is thereproduction mode142, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 outputs the audio signal130 (D1) reproduced from the audio reproduction-only medium123.
• When the input medium is the first audio and video reproduction-only medium[0049]122A, the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B or the audio reproduction-only medium123, and the operation mode is thefirst stop mode145, the audio mute circuit106 (FIG. 1) mutes the external audio signal124 (A1) output from the audio output terminal112 (FIG. 1). In thesecond stop mode144, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 outputs the external audio signal124 (A1).
• FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation performed by the audio and video recording and[0050]reproduction apparatus100 when thereproduction mode142 is switched to thestop mode141 while the input medium is the audio reproduction-only medium123 (e.g., CD-A).
• At time t1, the audio and video recording and[0051]reproduction apparatus100 starts reproduction of the audio reproduction-only medium123. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs the audio signal130 (D1) reproduced from the audio reproduction-only medium123. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs the still picture signal131, which is output from the still picturereproduction circuit105, through thevideo output terminal113.
• At time t2, the[0052]reproduction mode142 is switched to thefirst stop mode145. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the audio signal to be output through theaudio output terminal112 from the audio signal130 (D1) to the external audio signal124 (A1). The audiomute circuit106 mutes theexternal audio signal124. Theoutput switch circuit108 continuously outputs the still picture signal131 from thevideo output terminal113.
• At time t3, the[0053]first stop mode145 is switched to thereproduction mode142. The audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 resumes reproduction of the audio reproduction-only medium123. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs the audio signal130 (D1) from theaudio output terminal112. Theoutput switch circuit108 continuously outputs the still picture signal131 from thevideo output terminal113.
• At time t4, the[0054]reproduction mode142 is again switched to thefirst stop mode145. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the audio signal to be output through theaudio output terminal112 from the audio signal130 (D1) to the external audio signal124 (A1). The audiomute circuit106 mutes theexternal audio signal124. Theoutput switch circuit108 continuously outputs the still picture signal131 from thevideo output terminal113.
• At time t5, the audio[0055]mute circuit106 releases the mute setting of the external audio signal124 (A1). Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs the external audio signal124 (A1) released from the muted state. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs theexternal video signal125 which is input to the video input terminal111 (FIG. 1).
• As described above, when the audio signal to be output through the[0056]audio output terminal112 is switched from the audio signal130 (D1) reproduced from the audio reproduction-only medium123 (CD-A) to the external audio signal124 (A1) (time t2 and t4), the external audio signal124 (A1) is muted.
• Therefore, even when the average volume level D1 of the[0057]audio signal130 output in thereproduction mode142 and the average volume level A1 of theexternal audio signal124 output in thestop mode141 are significantly different from each other, a significantly different volume of audio signal is prevented from being output when thereproduction mode142 is switched to thestop mode141. Thus, the user does not feel disturbed.
• FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation performed by the audio and video recording and[0058]reproduction apparatus100 when thereproduction mode142 is switched to thestop mode141 while the input medium is the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A (e.g., DVD-Video) or the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B (e.g., V-CD).
• At time t6, the audio and video recording and[0059]reproduction apparatus100 starts reproduction of the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A or the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs thevideo signal129A reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A or thevideo signal129B reproduced from second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B through the video output terminal113 (FIG. 1). Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs theaudio signal128A (B1) reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A or theaudio signal128B (C1) reproduced from second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B through thevideo output terminal113.
• At time t7, the[0060]reproduction mode142 is switched to thefirst stop mode145. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the video signal to be output through thevideo output terminal113 from thevideo signal129A or129B to the still picture signal131 output from the still picturereproduction circuit105. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the audio signal to be output through theaudio output terminal112 from theaudio signal128A (B1) or128B (C1) to the external audio signal124 (A1). The audiomute circuit106 mutes theexternal audio signal124.
• At time t8, the[0061]first stop mode145 is switched to thereproduction mode142. The audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 resumes reproduction of the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A or the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs theaudio signal128A (B1) reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A or theaudio signal128B (C1) reproduced from the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the video signal to be output through thevideo output terminal113 from the still picture signal131 to thevideo signal129A reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A or thevideo signal129B reproduced from the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B.
• At time 9, the[0062]reproduction mode142 is again switched to thefirst stop mode145. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the audio signal to be output through theaudio output terminal112 from theaudio signal128A (B1) or theaudio signal128B (C1) to the external audio signal124 (A1). The audiomute circuit106 mutes theexternal audio signal124. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the video signal to be output through thevideo output terminal113 from thevideo signal129A or129B to the still picture signal131 from thevideo output terminal113.
• At time t10, the audio[0063]mute circuit106 releases mute of the external audio signal124 (A1). Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs the external audio signal124 (A1) released from the muted state. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs theexternal video signal125 which is input to the video input terminal111 (FIG. 1).
• As described above, when the audio signal to be output through the[0064]audio output terminal112 is switched from theaudio signal128A (B1) reproduced from the first audio and video reproduction-only medium122A (DVD-Video) or theaudio signal128B (C1) reproduced from the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B (V-CD) to the external audio signal124 (A1) (time t7 and t9), the external audio signal124 (A1) is muted.
• Therefore, even when the average volume level B1 of the[0065]audio signal128A or the average volume level C1 of theaudio signal128B output in thereproduction mode142 and the average volume level A1 of theexternal audio signal124 output in thestop mode141 are significantly different from each other, a significantly different volume of audio signal is prevented from being output when thereproduction mode142 is switched to thestop mode141. Thus, the user does not feel disturbed.
• FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation performed by the audio and video recording and[0066]reproduction apparatus100 when a switching operation between therecording mode143, thestop mode141 and thereproduction mode142 is performed while the input medium is the audio and video recording and reproduction medium121 (DVD-Recording).
• At time t11, the audio and video recording and[0067]reproduction apparatus100 starts recording to the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs theexternal video signal125, which is input through thevideo input terminal111, through thevideo output terminal113. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs the external audio signal124 (A1), which is input through theaudio input terminal110, through theaudio output terminal112.
• At time t12, the[0068]recording mode143 is switched to thestop mode141. The audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 stops recording to the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. Theoutput switch circuit108 continuously outputs theexternal video signal125 through thevideo output terminal113. Theoutput switch circuit108 continuously outputs the external audio signal124 (A1) through theaudio output terminal112.
• At time t13, the[0069]first stop mode141 is switched to thereproduction mode142. The audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 starts reproduction of the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs thevideo signal127 reproduced from the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121 through thevideo output terminal113. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs the audio signal126 (A1) reproduced from the audio and video recording andreproduction medium121 through theaudio output terminal112.
• At time t14, the[0070]reproduction mode142 is switched to thestop mode141. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the video signal to be output through thevideo output terminal113 from thevideo signal127 to theexternal video signal125 which is input from thevideo input terminal111. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs theexternal video signal125 through thevideo output terminal113. Theoutput switch circuit108 switches the audio signal to be output through theaudio output terminal112 from the audio signal126 (A1) to theexternal audio signal124 which is input from thevideo input terminal112. Theoutput switch circuit108 outputs theexternal audio signal124 through theaudio output terminal112.
• As described above, when the input medium is the audio and video recording and reproduction medium[0071]121 (DVD-Recording), the average volume level output from theaudio output terminal112 is the same (A1) in therecording mode143, thereproduction mode142 and thestop mode141. Accordingly, no mute operation is performed after a switching operation between therecording mode143, thereproduction mode142 and thestop mode141 is performed.
• In the case where an external audio signal (for example, au audio signal from a TV tuner) and audio signal stored on various media having different volume levels (for example, the first audio and video reproduction-only medium[0072]122A (e.g., DVD-Video), the second audio and video reproduction-only medium122B (e.g., V-CD), and the audio reproduction-only medium123 (e.g., CD-A)) are reproduced by the same apparatus, the following problem may occur. When the external audio signal is output immediately after the reproduction of the medium is stopped, the volume is suddenly increased or decreased due to the difference in volume levels of the different audio signals. In order to solve the disturbance felt by the user when this occurs, the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100 in this example mutes the audio signal output therefrom and outputs a still picture signal as the video signal. Thus, the above-mentioned disturbance felt by the user is solved even when one type of audio signal is switched to another type of audio signal having a different volume level from the one output before.
• In the above example, while the audio and video recording and[0073]reproduction medium121 is mounted on the audio and video recording andreproduction apparatus100, theexternal audio signal124 and theexternal video signal125 are output without being processed in any way in therecording mode143 and thestop mode141. In this way, input signals (theexternal audio signal124 and the external video signal125) are monitored without being processed in any way in therecording mode143 and thestop mode141, although not in thereproduction mode142.
• As described above, the present invention provides an audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus usable to reproduce audio signals having different volume levels, which prevents an audio signal having a different volume level from the previously reproduced audio signal from being output, and thus prevents the user from feeling uncomfortable.[0074]
• Various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the description as set forth herein, but rather that the claims be broadly construed.[0075]

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:

1. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus, comprising:

an audio signal switch section for outputting one of a first audio signal having a first volume level and a second audio signal having a second volume level by a switching operation; and

a mute section for muting the first audio signal which is output from the audio signal switch section when the audio signal switch section switches the second audio signal to the first audio signal.

2. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the mute section mutes the second audio signal which is output from the audio signal switch section when the audio signal switch section switches the first audio signal to the second audio signal.

3. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the first audio signal includes an external audio signal.

4. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the first audio signal includes an audio signal reproduced from an audio and video recording and reproduction medium.

5. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the second audio signal includes an audio signal reproduced from an audio and video reproduction-only medium.

6. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the second audio signal includes an audio signal reproduced from an audio reproduction-only medium.

7. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein:

the first audio signal includes an external audio signal,

the second audio signal is reproduced from a reproduction-only medium,

the first volume level of the first audio signal and the second volume level of the second audio signal are different from each other,

the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus has a reproduction mode for reproducing the second audio signal from the reproduction-only medium and a stop mode for stopping the reproduction of the second audio signal from the reproduction-only medium, and

the audio signal switch section switches the second audio signal to the first audio signal when the reproduction mode is switched to the stop mode.

8. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 1

, further comprising a video switch section for outputting a first video signal corresponding to the first audio signal or a second video signal corresponding to the second audio signal by a switching operation.

9. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein the first video signal includes an external video signal.

10. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein the first video signal includes a video signal reproduced from an audio and video recording and reproduction medium.

11. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein the second video signal includes a video signal reproduced from an audio and video reproduction-only medium.

12. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein the second video signal includes a still picture signal reproduced from a still picture signal medium.

13. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein:

the second video signal includes a third video signal reproduced from the audio and video reproduction-only medium and a still picture signal reproduced from a still picture signal medium,

the audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus has a reproduction mode f or reproducing the third video signal from the audio and video reproduction-only medium and a stop mode for stopping the reproduction of the third video signal from the audio and video reproduction-only medium, and

the video signal switch section switches the third video signal to the still picture signal when the reproduction mode is switched to the stop mode.

14. An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein:

the second video signal includes a still picture signal reproduced from a still picture medium, and

the video switch section outputs the still picture signal when the mute section mutes the first audio signal.

Images